Extinguishing stereotypes

Female firefighters say family tradition, excitement drew them to volunteer

May 15, 2006

By MEGAN VARNER
Index-Journal senior staff writer

When you hear the word “firefighter,” what comes to mind?
You probably have an image of a man in heat-resistant turnout gear, complete with a helmet, mask and air pack, who is bravely running into a burning building to put out the flames and save lives.
After all, those are the traditional images you’ve always seen in books and movies.
But when several Northwest Volunteer Fire Department firefighters roll up on a scene in those familiar red engines, you might be surprised if they took off their helmets.
That’s because they aren’t firemen.
They are firewomen.
“If you go do fire prevention in a school, they say that it’s so cool (that we are women firefighters),” said Ginny Martin, one of five women members at Northwest. “But when you pull up on a scene and get out of the truck, people can’t tell until you pull your helmet off. When they see your hair, they are like, ‘Woah.’”
Only three of the department’s female firefighters — Martin, Ashley Strange and Angie Clemmons — are active. Martin said the department’s other two females, Courtney Caldwell and Paula Kolar, have taken time off to start families or go to school.
Martin, 21, grew up surrounded by those traditional male firefighter images. Her father, Ted Martin, has been with Northwest for nearly 30 years, she said, even serving as chief of the department, which has about 50 members.
“I grew up around here (Northwest’s fire station),” she said, adding that even as a child she knew what she wanted to be when she grew up. “In kindergarten, when all the firefighters asked us if we would be a firefighter one day, all the girls would go, ‘No,’ but I would say, ‘Sure am.’”
Clemmons, 35, said she also spent time at Northwest’s station when her brother was with the department. Brother Chris Clemmons is now a firefighter with Greenwood Fire Department, she said.
“I just hung out here at the station with all the guys,” Clemmons said, adding that she started off doing work with the ladies auxiliary, a group that provides support to firefighters and the department. “But, I figured if I was going to be on a scene, I might as well get in it.”
And like the others, Strange, 23, was drawn to the fire scene as a youngster. As a high school student, Strange said she began an explorers program with the city fire department, adding that she didn’t feel intimidated by the male-dominated profession.
“I’m not a girlie-girl,” she said, laughing. “I love adventure. I love a challenge.”
And for some of the women, firefighting is a love they share with their spouses.
“We’re all either married to firefighters or dating them or are daughters of them,” Martin said.
Clemmons is married to Northwest firefighter Doug Samson, and Strange’s husband, Josh, is a Northwest firefighter and the son of Greenwood Fire Department Chief Terry Strange.
“It pretty much is the perfect combination,” said Strange of serving at the department with her husband. “We have a lot in common, so it’s great.”
The women said their families have been supportive of their decision to enter what can be a dangerous job, though they have had some scrutiny along the way.
“My husband had his doubts until one car wreck we were on ... He didn’t think I could handle it,” Clemmons said, adding that seeing her assist at the fatal wreck scene removed her husband’s doubts.
Her mother, however, was worried for another reason. “She’s worried about the fact that I have two kids, and the fact that my brother works for the (Greenwood Fire Department),” she said. “She doesn’t know what time I’m out on a call and what time he’s out on one.”
Growing up with a fire chief as a father, Martin said her family was behind her decision once they knew she was serious about following in her father’s footsteps. “My dad always heard me talk about it, but he just figured it was one of my fantasy ideas,” Martin said, smiling. “But he was really supportive about it.”
And that support is something the women said they have had from each of their fellow firefighters at Northwest — male and female.
“We’re all a big family around here and we’d all do anything for each other,” Martin said of the department, though the women admitted there is a little friendly competition when it comes to training.
“We try to out-do the guys because they look at us like we can’t do what they do,” Clemmons said, laughing.
“I think we step back and look at the whole picture more than the guys do.”
But the training — which includes dozens of hours learning the basics of firefighting and operating the engines — is a part of the job the women said they take seriously, and, like any firefighter at the department, they know that it is important for their safety.
“I’m not going to put myself in a position where I’m going to get myself hurt, and I’m not going to put myself in a position where I’m not going to make it home to my family,” Clemmons said.
Clemmons said her worst fear as a firefighter is one that is common to many in her field.
“Having to go into a structure (building) fire and finding someone — that is probably my worst fear,” she said, though it is not her only fear. “When you get toned out to a wreck, you have no clue who it is. It could be a family member, a friend or one of the firefighters.”
With a coverage area that includes up to 30,000 people, Martin, who also has a job and is going to school, said the demand on the department’s volunteer firefighters can be hectic. Strange and Clemmons also have to balance volunteering around student and family schedules.
“Some days we don’t run calls at all, and then we’ll have days when we run a lot,” Martin said. “Two summers ago, we ran 12 calls on one day because of lightning.”
But even with the danger and busy schedules, the women said they love the excitement of firefighting and they don’t plan on giving it up anytime soon.
“Even if it’s not running into a burning building,” Martin said, “(I’ll be) helping out on a fire scene, doing whatever needs to be done.”

Sadie Mae Bennett

Sadie Mae Rayford Bennett, 69, of 120 A Osborne Ave., widow of Willie James Bennett, died Sunday, May 14, 2006 at her home.
Born in Greenwood County, she was a daughter of the late Mary Childs and Roger Rayford. She was a former member of Mount Tabor Baptist Church and a former employee of Greenwood Methodist Home where she retired in 1993.
Survivors include a daughter, Rosa Mae Bennett of Greenwood; a sister, Tammy Rayford of Greenwood; two grandchildren reared in the home, Felicia Marchelle Bennett and Dantravious DeShun Williams, both of Greenwood.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Parks Funeral Home.

Ernest Nathaniel Dye

Ernest Nathaniel Dye, 87, of 108 Addison Ave., husband of Bettie Sue Morgan Dye, died Sunday, May 14, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in McCormick County, he was a son of the late Wiley Dye and Rebecca Cade Dye. He was a World War II Army veteran and formerly employed by the Department of Motor Vehicles and Roberts Foundry. He was a member, deacon, and trustee of Bethlehem Church of God Holiness, McCormick.
Survivors include his wife of the home; four sons, James Wiley Dye and Benjamin Davis, both of Greenwood, Odel Dye of Columbia, and Dedrick Shawn Davis of Phoenix; six daughters, Azzie Lee Dye Blair of Washington, Mary Lou Murrell of Florence, Patricia Cummings of Greenwood, Laura Davis of Atlanta, Betty Tolbert of Jacksonville,Fla., and Rosa D. Alexander of Ninety Six; two sisters, Naomi Dye Cannady of McCormick and Opal Dye Kelley of Augusta, Ga.; 27 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc.

James Earl Gamble

WARE SHOALS — James Earl Gamble, 75, of 114 Turkey Creek Drive, husband of Norma Gene Snell Gamble, died Friday, May 12, 2006 at Spartanburg Regional Healthcare.
Born in Lamar, Colo., he was a son of the late Earl Elbert Gamble and Georgia Holmes Gamble. He was a self-employed video engineer and served in the National Guard. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and was formerly a ward financial clerk and an assistant in the family history center.
Survivors include his wife of the home; five sons, Tim Gamble, Kenneth Tracy Rhoads and Edward Paul Rhoads, all of Calif., Robert Palmer Rhoads of N.M., and Wayne Clark Rhoads of S.C.; two daughters, Jeanne Marlene Pratt and Laura Gene Wadman, both of Utah; 27 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren. Services are 2 p.m. today at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, conducted by Bishop Doug Pennock. Burial is in Forest Lawn Memorial Park Mausoleum with Military Honors by Campbell Patriots Post #184.
Memorials may be made to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Missionary Fund-Greenwood Ward, Cokesbury Road, Greenwood, SC 29649.
McDougald Funeral Home, Anderson is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mcdougaldfuneralhome.com

Jimmy Hastings

NINETY SIX — Jimmy Randall Hastings, 34, of 320 N. Cambridge St., husband of Catherine “Cathy” Timok Hastings, died Sunday, May 14, 2006 in Abbeville County from injuries received in an automobile wreck.
Services will be announced by Harley Funeral Home & Crematory.

Anna Kirby

ABBEVILLE — Anna Bell Lewis Kirby, 85, of 205 Oakland Ave., died Saturday May 13, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center, Greenwood.
Born in Abbeville, she was a daughter of the late Ira and Nina Sorrow Lewis. She was twice married first to the late William “Bill” Ernest O’Shields and the late Jeff Kirby. She was a retired textile weaver with Grendal Mills and was of the holiness faith.
Survivors include a daughter, Kelly O. White of Abbeville; two sons, Mitchell O’Sheilds of the home and Michael O’Sheilds of Calhoun Falls; nine grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren.
Services are 3 p.m. Tuesday at Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home, conducted by the Rev. Tye Sorrow. Burial is in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens.
Visitation is 6-7:30 tonight at the funeral home.
The family is at the home.
Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.chandlerjacksonfh.com

Lura Ann Lenton

Lura Ann Lenton, 67, of 102 Corley St., died Sunday, May 14, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center. Born in Greenwood County, she was a daughter of the late Wiley Richardson and Ruby Mathis Richardson. She was a member of Dunham Temple CME Church.
She was survived by three grandchildren.
The family is at the home of a cousin, Laura Mathis, 369 Joe Louis Blvd.
Services will be announced by Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at pertompfh1@earthlink.net

Kathleen R. Medlock

EDGEFIELD — Kathleen Rearden Medlock, 84, wife of the late Sam Medlock died 05-13-06.
Funeral Services will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, 05-16-06, at Edgefield Mercantile Funeral with burial in Eastview Cemetery.
Mrs. Medlock was a native of Edgefield County and she was retired from Mt. Vernon Mills with over 40 years of service.
Survivors include one son Gene (Jeannie) Medlock, Clinton, one brother Julian Rearden, Aiken, two granddaughters Charity Johnson, Ft. Walton Beach, FL., Shannon Medlock, Anderson, two great-grandchildren Charles C. Johnson and Virginia Moore, two nieces Ruth Bailey Nicholson, Greenwood and Evelyn B. Wainscott, Frankfort, KY.
Mrs. Medlock was predeceased by one son, one grandson, one sister, and one brother.
The family will receive friends Monday 6 to 8 PM at Edgefield Mercantile Funeral. PAID OBITUARY

Janie Fuller Wardlaw

ABBEVILLE — Janie F. Wardlaw of 602 Poplar St., widow of Charles Wardlaw Sr., died Sunday, May 14, 2006 at Hospice House, Greenwood.
Born in Abbeville County, she was a daughter of the late Ellis and Daisy McAdams Fuller. She was a graduate of Abbeville County Training School, a homemaker, a member of Saint James A.M.E. Church and served on the Stewardesses Board.
Survivors include a son, Vernon Dennis Sr. of Abbeville; two daughters, Donna Reese of Lancaster and Kimberly Smith of Columbia; two brothers, James E. Fuller and Thomas S. Fuller, both of Evanston, Ill.; a sister, Rosa Mary Crawford of Detroit; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Brown and Walker Funeral Home.

Beatrice Williams

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. — Services for Beatrice Williams are 2 p.m. Tuesday at Mount Zion Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Bernard White. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers and flower bearers are friends of the family.
Visitation is 7-8 tonight at Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home.
The family is at the home of her mother, 1522 Shirley Road, Hodges.
Percival-Tompkins is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at pertompfh1@earthlink.net

Clarence Wilson

Clarence Furman Wilson, 88, of 339 West Cambridge Ave., husband of Mary Price Wilson, died Sunday, May 14, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Greenwood, he was a son of the late Marvin T. and Ullie Mae Dean Wilson. He was a graduate of Greenwood High School, Peterson’s College of Commerce and was a World War II Army veteran having served in the Atlantic Theater of Operations. He was retired from Greenwood Mills as manager of personnel services and a member of the Quarter Century Club. He was a member and deacon of West Side Baptist Church and director of the Senior Adults Sunday School Department. He was also a member, part post commander and chaplin of American Legion Post #20, Voiture 435 and the 40 & 8.
Survivors include his wife of the home; a son, Rev. Charles Marvin Wilson of West Columbia; a daughter, Deana W. Tucker of Irmo; four grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren.
Services are 2 p.m. Tuesday at West Side Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Hal Lane. Burial is in Greenwood Memorial Gardens. The body will be placed in the church at 1 p.m.
Pallbearers are Harold Price, Don Price, Richard Price, Bobby Snelson, Wayne Farmer and Sammy Butler.
Honorary escorts are the Adult I Senior Adults Sunday School Department of the church, members of American Legion Post #20 and Bill Whaley, James Griffin, Harold Simpson, Smiley Bryant, Bob McIlvain, Glen Link, Doug Brock, Jesse Herin and James Childress.
Visitation is 6-8 tonight at Blyth Funeral Home.
The family is at the home.
Memorials may be made to West Side Baptist Church Building Fund, PO Box 216 Greenwood, SC 29648 or to the charity of ones choice.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blythfuneralhome.com

Observations ... and other reflections

May 15, 2006

It probably surprises no one in Greenwood to learn that textile employment continues to decline. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U. S. Department of Labor, there were 203,400 textile jobs in the U. S. in March of this year, 20,500 fewer than March of last year.
It used to be that many states published detailed employment data for textile mills. Now, though, many states have stopped doing that. What’s to publish when there’s not many mills or employees left? That, as much as anything, is indicative of how much has changed ..... including lives.

* * * * *

“The Da Vinci Code,” the motion picture made from the book by the same name, is already creating controversy. Many people are confused as the story challenges our Christian beliefs.
For those who may not be familiar with the story, the book and movie suggest that Jesus fathered a child with Mary Magdalene and that the child was indeed the “Holy Grail.”
One thing must be remembered. It’s a story, written not for fact but for fiction. Despite that, however, there will be many minds - young and old - that will be influenced by the story and will start to question their own beliefs. They’ll wonder what’s true and what’s pure fiction for drama’s sake.
It’s all fiction. It sounds, though, that it’s a made-to-order opportunity for churches to use as an opportunity to talk about and teach the true story. Don’t leave it to Hollywood where making a buck is the number one priority ..... and truth is not always a consideration.

* * * * *

State senators have talked at length this year about property tax reform. In the end, though, they seemingly simply dodged the issue. They voted to leave it up to the counties to decide individually if they wanted some kind of property tax swap for an additional sales tax.
Property tax reform has, of course, been one of the hottest topics for lawmakers this year. Don’t be surprised, though, if the issue goes nowhere. There is broad disagreement on the matter in the House, and a House/Senate conference committee will face daunting odds against reform.
After all, it is an election year, and decisions have a way of falling by the wayside during those times. Frustration created by inaction has a long history in the Palmetto State.